Releasing device for strap connectors

ABSTRACT

The use of a cartridge which is fired, and the expansion of the gas in the cartridge operates a device for releasing the web. The movement caused by the expansion releases an obstruction from the part of the ring or the bar on which the web is hung. In one form it will turn a cutaway shaft which obstructs the removal of prongs. In another form it will remove an obstruction which prevents the swinging open of the hook which holds the ring in place.

United States Patent John A. Gaylord San Rafael, Calif.

Dec. 15, 1969 Nov. 30,1971

H. Koch & Sons, lnc., a division of Global Systems, a Gulf 8: Western Company Corte Madera, Calif.

Inventor App]. No. Filed Patented Assignee RELEASING DEVICE FOR STRAP CONNECTORS 1 1 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 24/230 AV, 85/D1G. 1

int. Cl "A4411 19/00 Field of Search 85/D1G. 1;

24/201 D, 201 P, 75, 265 H, 265 RH, 241 P, 241 PS, 241 SL, 230 R, 230 A, 230 AP, 230 AV, 201 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,459,223 1/1949 Henderson 24/230 AV X 2,845,676 8/1958 Huber 24/201 D 3,012,810 12/1961 Tenney.. 85/D1G. 1 UX 3,109,216 11/1963 Brown 85/DIG. l UX 3,134,154 5/1964 Smith et al. 24/230 AP 3,142,102 7/1964 Saunders 24/230 AP 3,183,568 5/1965 Gaylord 24/230 A Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney-George B. White PAIENTEDuuv 30 um SHEET 1 [IF 4 Kw 00 L U WA W 4 @0 M J% V.- B

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' SHEET 3 0F 4 INVENTOR. JOHN A. GAYLOED QM LW ATTORNEY PATENTEENM 30 ml SHEEI '4 [IF 4 INVBNTUR. JOHN A. GIN LORD A TTOPNE Y RELEASING DEVICE FOR STRAP CONNECTORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is primarily used in connection with the type of releasable strap connectors shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,014 of J. A. Gaylord dated July 1 l, 1967. In addition to the manipulable release provided in that patent it is also necessary in cases of emergency that a power actuated release be provided. In order to accomplish this in the present invention, an electrically fired cartridge generates the gas under pressure for the purpose of removing an obstruction which otherwise holds the ring or bar of the strap or web in place.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 is a front view of the assembled unit wherein the rocking shaft is rocked by the expanding gas.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental detail of the mounting of the rocking shaft.

FIG. 4 is a front view on the order of FIG. I partly in section showing the device in web releasing position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on lines 55 of FIG. 1 showing the prongs of the web connector released.

FIG. 6 shows the rocking shaft relative to its stops in the released position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another form of release utilizing a swinging hook.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the release shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of this release in locking position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the hook obstruction in releasing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the usual releasable strap connector or web connector a female member 1 has a web connector bar 2 in one end and a bearing body 3 in its lower end in which is joumalled a rocking shaft 4. The rocking shaft 4 has cutaway portions 6 aligned with a passage 7 in the body 3 to permit the insertion of the prongs 8 of a male strap connector 9 which has the usual web holding shaft 11.

For manual operation a handle yoke 12 engages the opposite ends of the shafts by teeth 13 in elongated slots 14 so as to permit rocking of the shaft relatively to the yoke 12 to a limited extent.

The yoke handle 12 can be locked in position by a locking flap 16 in the manner described in the aforementioned patent. It is to be noted in FIGS. 3 and 6 that the rocking shaft 4 may be rocked in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 3 relatively to the handle yoke 12.

For the purpose of the automatic operation the rocking shaft 4 has a pin 17 extended through an opening 18 in the body 3. A pivoted plunger 19 has one end 21 thereof positioned below the pin 17 so that when the plunger 19 is swung around its pivot 22 upwardly viewing FIG. 1, it will push the pin 17 upwardly thereby to rock the shaft from the locking position shown in FIG. 2 into the releasing position shown in FIG. 5.

A coil spring 23 anchored at one end on the body 3 and at its other end on a finger 24 extended from the plunger 19, normally holds the plunger in an initial position shown in FIG. 1. The plunger 19 extends in the locked position into a groove 26 in a transverse channel 27 on the male member 9. In one end of the channel 27 is formed a cylindrical pocket 28 which accommodates a cartridge 29, the electrical primer wires 31 of which extend through a hole 32 in the outer end of the channel 27 as shown in FIG. 1.

In operation the prongs 8 of the male member 9 are inserted in a passage 7 in the manner described in the aforesaid patent and the spring-held rocking shaft 4 is pushed aside temporarily to be sprung back in the position shown in FIG. 2 to engage the notches in the inner ends of the prongs 8.

For automatic release an electric switch or circuit, not shown, is actuated in any suitable manner so as to close the circuit on the primer wires 31 thereby to fire the charge 33 in the cartridge 29. The expansion of the gases caused by the combustion of the charge 33 bears against an actuating piston 34 slideable in the cartridge 29, which piston 34 engages an inclined comer 36 on the adjacent edge of the plunger 19 so as to push the plunger 19 from the position shown in FIG. 1 into the position shown in FIG. 4, thereby to push the pin 17 for rocking the shaft 4 into the position shown in FIG. 5 for releasing the prongs 8 of the male member 9 and thereby separating the web connecting device and releasing the respective webs.

In the forms shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 inclusive the transverse shaft 2 of the female member 1 is held in a hook 41 by a hook obstruction 42 pivoted on a pivot shaft 43 in flanges 44 of the body 46 of web connector 47. Opposite arms 48 extended from the body 46 hold a cross shaft 49 on which the web is suitably secured, instead of on the cross shaft 2 on the first form.

The hook obstruction 42 has a finger 51 extended beyond the pivot 43 adjacent a cylindrical passage 53 transverse in the body 46 as shown in FIG. 8. In the cylindrical passage 53 is a locking plunger 54 which prevents the movement of the finger 51 inwardly, namely from the position shown in FIG. 9 into the position shown in FIG. 10, and thereby holds the hook 0bstruction 42 in position to lock the cross-shaft 2 of the web connector in the hook 41.

The locking plunger 54 is slideable in the passage 53. The locking plunger 54 has a pocket 56 in one end thereof in alignment with a reduced passage 57 in the adjacent end wall of the body 46. An enlarged chamber 58 in the outer end of the body 46 accommodates a cartridge 59 the reduced end 61 of which extends through the reduced passage 57 into the pocket 56 of the locking plunger 54. The reduced end 61 of the cartridge has therein a plunger pin 62. Electrical primer wires 63 extend through suitable conduit 64 to suitable automatic or manual switch actuated electric circuit.

When the electric circuit through the primer wires 63 is closed it will fire the charge in the cartridge 59 and the expanding gases of combustion push the plunger pin 62 outwardly and against the inner closed end of the pocket 56, thereby pushing the locking plunger toward the other end of the passage 53 and out of the way of the finger 51 of the hook obstruction 42, whereby the pull on shaft 2 will swing the hook obstruction 42 out of the way and the web connector with the web is released. The locking plunger 54 is held in locking position by a shear pin 66 extending across the passage 53, which pin is in the present illustration made of nylon of suitable strength to be sheared by the power exerted by the gases of combustion pushing the plunger pin 62 against the locking plunger 54.

I claim:

1. In a web connector release device, the combination with web connectors including a removable web connecting element and means to hold said removable web connecting element in connecting position,

the improvement of a movable member on one of said connectors related to said holding means for releasing said removable connecting element, and

gas-pressure-actuated means to move said movable member from an initial web connecting position into a holding means releasing position, thereby to free said removable web connecting element,

said holding means being a rocking shaft having portions to hold said connector element connected in one position and being rockable for disengagement from said connector element,

means on said rocking shaft engageable by said movable member so as to rock said shafi into releasing position when moved by said gas-pressure-actuated means.

2. The web connector release device specified in claim I, and

said gas-pressure-actuated means including a cartridge holder pocket adjacent said movable member,

a cartridge in said pocket, a plunger element in said cartridge, an ignitable charge in said cartridge to create expanding gas pressure to push said plunger element outwardly from said cartridge, thereby to move said movable member for engaging said engageable means to rock said shaft into releasing position. 3. The web connector release device specified in claim 2, and

said holding means being a rocking shaft having portions to hold said connector element connected in one position and being rockable for disengagement from said connector element, a projection on said rocking shaft, and said movable member engaging said projection so as to rock said shaft into releasing position when moved by said plunger element. 4. The web connector release device specified in claim 3, and

said movable member being a pivoted lever engageable with said projection, and having a side thereof adjacent said plunger element to be moved thereby when said cartridge is fired for forcing said lever to move said projection and said rocking shaft into said releasing position. 5. The web connector release device specified in claim 4, and

resiliently yieldable means to urge said lever against said cartridge plunger element. 6. The web connector device specified in claim 5, and manual means to rock said shaft into releasing position at will. 7. The web connector release device specified in claim 4, and

said web connectors being a female member and a male member, said female member having keeper pockets therein, and said male member having prongs insertable into said keeper pockets, said rocking shaft extending transversely to said pockets, and said holding portions being engageable with said prongs in locking position of said prongs, and being withdrawn from said prongs when said shaft is rocked into releasing position. 8. The web connector release device specified in claim 1, and i one of said web connectors having a holding recess, said removable web connecting element being insertable into said holding recess, said holding means including a hook on said one of said web connectors swingable over said recess and holding said removable web connecting element in said holding recess, said movable member being an obstruction member slideable in said one of said web connectors, a projection on said hook extended to and being obstructed by said obstruction member in the holding position of i hook.

said gas-pressure-actuated means including a plunger element bearing against said slideable obstruction member to move said slideable obstruction member out of the way of said hook projection thereby to free said hook to release said removable web-connecting element.

9. The web connector release device specified in claim 8,

and

a shear member holding said slideable obstruction member in obstructing position,

a cartridge,

an expanding gas-generating charge in said cartridge,

said plunger element being related to said cartridge to be driven by the gas pressure generated in said cartridge for shearing said shearable member and moving said obstruction member out of the way of said hook projection.

10. The web connector release device specified in claim 1,

and

said web connectors including said removable web connecting element and a holder web-connecting member,

said holder web-connecting member including,

a body,

a holder extension on said body having a keeper pocket to receive said removable web connecting element,

a hook fulcrumed on said body to hold said removable web connecting element in said keeper pocket,

said body having a cavity therein generally parallel with the fulcrum of said hook,

a finger extending from said hook to said cavity,

said movable member being positioned in said cavity at said finger so as to obstruct movement of said finger and thereby hold said hook in holding position,

saidmovable member being slideable in said cavity away from said finger to free said hook for releasing said removable web-connecting element from said keeper pocket,

a shearable obstruction in said cavity to hold said movable member in said obstructing position at said finger,

said gas-pressure-actuated means being capable of exerting a force on said movable member sufficient to shear said shearable obstruction and move said movable member away from said finger.

1 l. The web connector device specified in claim 10, and

said gas-pressure-actuated means including,

a cartridge in said cavity adjacent said movable member,

a plunger pin movable out of said cartridge bearing against said movable member to push said movable member away from said finger,

and a charge in said cartridge adapted to be ignited to create expanding gas pressure in said cartridge to force said plunger pin against said movable member with such sufiicient force to shear said shearable member and to move said movable member away from said finger, thereby to free said hook for releasing said removable web-connecting element. 

1. In a web connector release device, the combination with web connectors including a removable web connecting element and means to hold said removable web cOnnecting element in connecting position, the improvement of a movable member on one of said connectors related to said holding means for releasing said removable connecting element, and gas-pressure-actuated means to move said movable member from an initial web connecting position into a holding means releasing position, thereby to free said removable web connecting element, said holding means being a rocking shaft having portions to hold said connector element connected in one position and being rockable for disengagement from said connector element, means on said rocking shaft engageable by said movable member so as to rock said shaft into releasing position when moved by said gas-pressure-actuated means.
 2. The web connector release device specified in claim 1, and said gas-pressure-actuated means including a cartridge holder pocket adjacent said movable member, a cartridge in said pocket, a plunger element in said cartridge, an ignitable charge in said cartridge to create expanding gas pressure to push said plunger element outwardly from said cartridge, thereby to move said movable member for engaging said engageable means to rock said shaft into releasing position.
 3. The web connector release device specified in claim 2, and said holding means being a rocking shaft having portions to hold said connector element connected in one position and being rockable for disengagement from said connector element, a projection on said rocking shaft, and said movable member engaging said projection so as to rock said shaft into releasing position when moved by said plunger element.
 4. The web connector release device specified in claim 3, and said movable member being a pivoted lever engageable with said projection, and having a side thereof adjacent said plunger element to be moved thereby when said cartridge is fired for forcing said lever to move said projection and said rocking shaft into said releasing position.
 5. The web connector release device specified in claim 4, and resiliently yieldable means to urge said lever against said cartridge plunger element.
 6. The web connector device specified in claim 5, and manual means to rock said shaft into releasing position at will.
 7. The web connector release device specified in claim 4, and said web connectors being a female member and a male member, said female member having keeper pockets therein, and said male member having prongs insertable into said keeper pockets, said rocking shaft extending transversely to said pockets, and said holding portions being engageable with said prongs in locking position of said prongs, and being withdrawn from said prongs when said shaft is rocked into releasing position.
 8. The web connector release device specified in claim 1, and one of said web connectors having a holding recess, said removable web connecting element being insertable into said holding recess, said holding means including a hook on said one of said web connectors swingable over said recess and holding said removable web connecting element in said holding recess, said movable member being an obstruction member slideable in said one of said web connectors, a projection on said hook extended to and being obstructed by said obstruction member in the holding position of said hook, said gas-pressure-actuated means including a plunger element bearing against said slideable obstruction member to move said slideable obstruction member out of the way of said hook projection thereby to free said hook to release said removable web-connecting element.
 9. The web connector release device specified in claim 8, and a shear member holding said slideable obstruction member in obstructing position, a cartridge, an expanding gas-generating charge in said cartridge, said plunger element being related to said cartridge to be driven by the gas pressure generated in said cartRidge for shearing said shearable member and moving said obstruction member out of the way of said hook projection.
 10. The web connector release device specified in claim 1, and said web connectors including said removable web connecting element and a holder web-connecting member, said holder web-connecting member including, a body, a holder extension on said body having a keeper pocket to receive said removable web connecting element, a hook fulcrumed on said body to hold said removable web connecting element in said keeper pocket, said body having a cavity therein generally parallel with the fulcrum of said hook, a finger extending from said hook to said cavity, said movable member being positioned in said cavity at said finger so as to obstruct movement of said finger and thereby hold said hook in holding position, said movable member being slideable in said cavity away from said finger to free said hook for releasing said removable web-connecting element from said keeper pocket, a shearable obstruction in said cavity to hold said movable member in said obstructing position at said finger, said gas-pressure-actuated means being capable of exerting a force on said movable member sufficient to shear said shearable obstruction and move said movable member away from said finger.
 11. The web connector release device specified in claim 10, and said gas-pressure-actuated means including, a cartridge in said cavity adjacent said movable member, a plunger pin movable out of said cartridge bearing against said movable member to push said movable member away from said finger, and a charge in said cartridge adapted to be ignited to create expanding gas pressure in said cartridge to force said plunger pin against said movable member with such sufficient force to shear said shearable member and to move said movable member away from said finger, thereby to free said hook for releasing said removable web-connecting element. 